8.9 Careers

Lawyers

Lawyers work with their clients on legal matters (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2025b). Lawyers may work for individual clients, organizations, or governments. Lawyers typically require a law degree and a bachelor’s degree, and they must pass the bar exam to earn a state license to practice law. A sociology degree develops the critical thinking skills needed for law school. The median annual pay for lawyers is $136,000, or approximately $65 per hour. The occupation is expected to experience faster than average growth (8%) through 2033. Video 8.1 shares more about this occupation.

Epidemiologists

Epidemiologists work in public health (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2025a). They study the social patterns and trends related to health, illness, and injury. Epidemiologists usually need a master’s degree in public health. A sociology degree is a good preparation for a master’s degree in public health, given public health’s interest in the social determinants of health. The median annual pay for epidemiologists is $79,000, or approximately $38 per hour. The occupation is expected to experience rapid growth (27%) through 2033. Video 8.2 shares more about this occupation.

Social Workers

Social workers work in various settings to empower people to manage their problems (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2025c). They work in diverse settings, ranging from government agencies to healthcare and educational institutions. Social workers need a bachelor’s or master’s degree in social work. Sociology is an excellent field to prepare for earning a master’s degree in social work because of sociology’s focus on structural causes of social problems. The median annual pay for social workers is $55,000, or approximately $27 per hour. The occupation is expected to experience faster than average growth (7%) through 2033. Video 8.3 shares more about this occupation.